Dust mop cleaner



Nov. 4, 1941. '1 J. A. JONES DUST MOP CLEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 13, 1939 Nov;` 4, 1,941. J.' JONES 2,261,738

DUST MOP CLEANER Filed Deo. l5, 1939 (7am esA. :Tones Patented Nov. 4, 1941 UNITED straps ezrren'r ors-lcs DUST MOP CLEANER James A. Jones, Fayetteville,` Ark.

Application December 13, 1939, Serial No. 309,068

9 Claims.

My invention relates to dust mop cleaners and particularly to devices of this character in which removal of dust and dirt is eiected by shaking or agitating the mop.

The most commonly used methods of cleaning dust mops are by shaking the mop out of doors or in a specially-constructed closed receptacle or mop chamber into which the head of the mop may be inserted and from which the mop handle may project in. such manner as to enable the mop to be moved within the receptacle, through manipulation of the projecting handle. Certain devices of this type have been provided with stationary frames or projections on an inner wall or elsewhere within the mop chamn ber, against which the mop might be engaged during its manual agitation, to aid in freeing the mop of its collected dust and dirt. Such devices are inadequate and unsatisfactory because they neither produce sufficient cleaning resultsf nor greatly reduce .the manual labor required, as compared with the usual manual out-door shaking method.

It has also been proposed that mops be cleaned by inserting them into mop chambers within-- which they are subjected to the action of rotating or otherwise movable combs, beaters or brushes. In such devices the dust removal is effected by more or less violent engagement of the combs, beaters or brushes with the threads l or fabric of the mop.

In order to avoid the beating or brushing of the mops to be cleaned and to provide a more simple and economical mop cleaner construction than can be obtained when beaters or like elements are employed, attempts have been made to utilize and improve the old' mop-shaking method, the efforts in this direction seeking to eliminate the manual labor and :increase the efficiency of the dust removal by the shaking method, through the provision of mechanical means for eiecting the agitation of the mop, as distinguished from the beating, brushing or combing oi the mop threads or fabric.

Means heretofore proposed for this purpose have generally comprised a rigid bar or bars provided With an upstanding clamp of vsome sort for gripping the handle of a mop when inserted within a mop-cleaning chamber, lthe handlegripping bar or bars being reciprocated by'a motor, which might also operate a blower -or circulating air through the mop chamber. Such devices as these are inconvenient because of the necessity of inserting the mop through the side of the mop chamber in order to place the mop 55 handle in the clamp Aand the diiculty in accurately so positioning the mop handle; they are inefcient and unsatisfactory because. the engagement ofthe agitating means only with the handle of the mop produces a shaln'ne action which is inadequate, a ,considerable part of the shaking effect being lost by reason of the distance of the agitation point from the mop head and the intervention of the pivotal connection .of the mop head with the handle, the mop head, being free to wobble about its pivot, not receiving the full shaking yaction imparted to its hanvdie and a large part of the shaking force therefore having no result other than to tend to shake the mop handle and mop head apart.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of an improved mop cleaner of the .mop-agitating ,or mop-shaking type, by which dust-removal is effected through agitating or shaking, without beating, brush-ing or combing the mop `and which, although simple and economical .from the manufacturing standpoint, -will `afford more ecient engagement of the -mop by the .agitating or shaking means, more vigor- `vous and .thorough shaking or agitation of the mop and a higher degree .of completeness of dust removal .than .can be .obtained by the .use o-f the `man-ual or mechanical dust mop cleaners heretofore known.

Another object of the invention. is Vthe provision of improved means for eecting engagement of -the agitating or shaking means with the dust mop, the mop-engaging and mop-ag-itating means being so constructed .and arranged as to be capable of operation either manually or by. an electric motor or other suitable power means.

Another object is the provision of a mop holder of improved construction for receiving .and holding a mop head while being cleaned by Ashaking action.

Another Objectis the provision of a dust lmop chamber in which is operatively disposed a novel, efiicient and convenient mop holder for engaging and holding a mop headv and maintaining its hold thereupon during its reciprocation or other form of agitation for cleaning the mop by shaking.

Another object is the provision of a dust mop chamber in which are operatively associated a motor-actuated mop-holding means adapted to engage and hold a mop inserted into the chamber and to be agitated by the motor, and an electric motor-controlling switch having operat- ,ing vmeans adapted to beengaged and controlled and novel means for releasing the dust recepta-W cle for emptying the dust and dirt therefrom.

Broadly stated, my invention consists in a reciprocable, oscillatable or similarly movable agitator engageable by the frame or head portion of a dust mop applied thereto, adapted to hold the mop head rmly during agitation and operable either manually or mechanically. The agitator is preferably, but not necessarily, designed and constructed toengage and hold the mop heads of different sizes and shapes.

More specifically my invention relates to the particular arrangment of the mop-holding and mop-agitating means and the operating means therefor; the particular form of construction of the combined holder and agitator, including its elements designed to engage and hold the head portion of the mop and which may be termed the mop holder; the particular manner of movably mounting the mop holder; the particular arrangement of the motor switch relative to the mop holder; the particular manner of arrangement of the mop holder (with or without the motor switch) within the mop chamber, (in embodiments of the invention which include an agitator or holder enclosed within a mop chamber); the particular arrangement of dust-removing means and dust receptacle in association with the mop chamber (where the machine has a mop chamber) and, as an adjunct to the improved mop-shaking or mop-agitating means, a particular form of construction and arrangement of means for releasing the dust receptacle (in a machine of my general construction which is provided with a mop chamber and dust-removing means).

These and other purposes of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description thereof, and by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical side elevational view, partly in section, of mymop cleaner showing my mop holder and agitator within an enclosing mop chamber, certain parts being broken away and other parts being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. l, taken at right angles thereto;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the mop holder shown in Figs'. 1 and 2, parts being broken away; and

Fig. 4 is a substantially diagrammatic top plan View of a modified form of mop holder, embodying a different arrangement of mop-engaging pins, a mop engaged by the holder being indicated in dotted lines.

The drawings illustrate a specific embodiment of my invention, the essential features of which are the movable mop holder and agitator for engaging and firmly holding the head portion of the mop and means for moving the mop holder to agitate or shake the mop. The invention is shaking movement (preferably in a reciprocatory or oscillatory path) by any suitable means, operated either by an electric motor or other suitable power means or by a hand crank operatively connected with suitable reciprocatory mechanism such, for example, as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The embodiment shown, representing my preferred construction and arrangement of mop holder and agitator, holder-moving means and otherv parts, preferably includes a mop chamber, mop holder, electric motor or other power means, a support for sustaining the mop holder and permitting it to move back and forth, preferably in a right line path in a horizonal plane, and suitable operating connections between the mop holder and the motor or other power means.

The support, as shown, may comprise a base I, carrying standards 2 upon which may be secured a casing 3 enclosing a dust chamber 4, forming the dust-collecting portion of the mop chamber, and connected, through dust outlet 53, with suitable dust-removing and discharging means. Secured to the casing 3, in a plane preferably somewhat removed from the dust outlet 53 of the dust chamber 4, are guide bearings in which are reciprocably mounted parallel bars 6 which support and guide a mop holder A in its movement. The bars 6 are preferably formed of steel tubing as shown, but may be solid and of any suitable material.

The mop holder A comprises a preferably reticulated frame which, as shown in Fig. 3, may consist of cross rods 'I secured, by welding or in any other suitable manner, to bars 6, and a plurality of spaced pins or spikes 8 carried by rods 9, and, if desired, additional pins (not shown) fixed to rods 1. The rods 1 may be of aluminum and in channel form, but rods or bars of any suitable material and shape may be used; their arrangement in parallel relation, although preferable, is not essential, other modes of arrangement being possible. 'Ihe rods 9 4may be secured to the rods 'I by welding or in any other suitable manner; if desired, they may be made removable, for example, by means of detachable clips 9a and set screws 9b. The number and arrangement of the rods 9 and pins 8 are capable of variation, six or more of the pins being considered preferable.

The function of the projecting pins 8 is to penetrate the fabric or threads of the head portion of a mop to be cleaned and to engage the usually steel frame of the mop head in such manner as to hold it firmly in xed relation to the agitating means during the cleaning operation. The holding action of the pins 8 may be obtained by the use of straight pins, but an increased holding eifect' may be secured by employing pins which have their free end portions bent or angularly offset, one suitable form of pin with such bent or oset end being illustrated in Fig. 3.

Figs. 3 and 4. The arrangement in Fig. 4 includes a larger number of pins so arranged as to accommodate mops of different sizes and shapes,

Satisfactory illustrative ar-l rangements of rods 9 and pins 8 are shown in by engagement of dierent combinations of pins with the mop head or frame, it being intended that a relatively small number of the pins Will be required for holdingv any particular mop applied to the holder. In Fig. 4 the mop frame 40 and its handle 4I are indicated in dotted lines, this particular size and shape of mop being in engagement with approximately one-half of the total number of pins 8, some of the pins yengaging the inside face of the frame and other pins the opposite face.

Any suitable operating connections between the `motor B and mop holder A may be employed. For convenience, the motor may be mounted on brackets I on base I. have shown a simple and convenient mechanism comprising a Worm II on one end of the motor shaft I2, a worm Wheel I3 driven thereby, a crank shaft I4 secured to and rotatable with the Worm Wheel, a crank arm I5 fixed to the crank shaft, and a connecting rod I6 pivotally coupled to the crank arm and to a rocker arm II, hung on a stud or studs I8 journalled in an upstanding bracket I9 on base I, the arm I1 being pivotally connected With a connecting rod 20 which has similar connection with the mop holder frame, through a pin 2I fixed to one of the reciprocable rods E. In the preferred form of construction illustrated operating connections such as those described are provided between the motor B and each of the rod Ii, but such connections need be made only to one of the rods 6, the duplication of the connections being generally found unnecessary.

My mop cleaner does not depend upon the enclosure of the mop holder Within a casing or mop chamber. It may be used Without a housing or mop chamber, at least without enclosing casing Walls extending beyond the mop-holder, especially Where a fan or other suction dustremoving means at or beyond the dust outlet 53 is provided, such suction means being eifective to remove the greater portion of the dust shaken from the mop into the air as Well as that portion which is deposited in dust chamber 4.

Although useful without a casing or housing projecting beyond the plane of the rods 6 (upwardly in the specific embodiment illustrated) my mop holder is preferably constructed and arranged to operate Within a mop chamber enclosed Within the Walls of a casing or housing and extending from Amop inlet 5| in the transverse wall 52 to the dust outlet 53 communicating with the fan chamber 22 of the dust-discharging means.

If desired, the housing may be in the form of a single integral housing 23 completely covering the machine and detachably'connected to or fitting on or closely adjacent to the base I, this housing being provided With a mop inlet 5I, to permit the use of the machine by insertion of the mop into the mop holder A While the housing is in place, and a suitable opening for the passage through the housing of the dust discharge pipe from the fan chamber 22. The machine and its housing 23 may be so designed that the housing is supported on base I and fits snugly against the side Walls of casing 3 (shown at the right and left of Fig. 2), in which case suitable small openings in the housing Walls Will be provided for permitting reciprocation of rods E. Or the housing may be slightly spaced from the side and end Walls of the casing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. With either of these arrangements my entire machine, including the housing,

By Way of illustration I is preferably mounted onbase I, supported on rollers (not shown).

My machine, when Vprovided with .enclosing Walls, such as housing 23, may be used to clean a mop by merely introducing. the mop `head through inlet 5I and against the mop -holder A, the rigid metal pins 8 of the holder entering the fabric Yof the mop and 'engaging theusually metal mop frame 40 to preventzitfrom slipping and to hold it rmly in position While 'the mop holder is reciprocated (or otherwise agitatedlby the motor B. When the .motor is started the mop holder .and the mop head held by thelatter. are subjected to shaking action, the handle of the mop being held by the operator during this operation. The dust and dirt shaken from the mop fall into the dust chamber 4 atr the outlet vend of the mop chamber or are sucked thereinto-by the suction fan 24 on motor shaft I2. The fan is enclosed, for this. purpose, in a4 fan chamber 22, which may be provided with 'a suitable outlet 25 to a discharge pipe 26 and dust bag,2.l, the latter preferably detachably connected with a dust receptacle 28, preferably removably supported in a suitable holder 29 on or adjacent to base I. The receptacle may be locked inthe holder by turning a lug 4I under a flange V42 of the holder. In order to obviate the necessity of handling these parts in removing and emptying the dust receptacle I have provided a 'conveniently located foot-operable device comprising a lever 30 having a yoke portion 3| engageable with trunnions 32 on the lower portion of the dust bag 2'I and a foot-engageable'portion 33, the lever being pivotally supported on a suitable fulcrum 34 preferably on or near base I and being resiliently held in the connected position of the dust bag and dust receptacle by al spring 35.

In the operation of my machine the rotation of the motor shaft I2, through the Worm gear, crank arm I5 and connecting rod IE, imparts to the end of the rocker arm I'I which is'pivotally connected to connecting rod 2Il an oscillatory movement which, through rod 26, is transmitted to the rod 6 as a reciprocatory movement.

The rods 6, xedly secured together and carrying the mop-holder and agitator A, thus "effect a reciprocation of the mop holder through a path of sufficient magnitude and at a Vsufficient speed to produce van effective agitation of the mop holder and consequent thorough shaking and cleaning of the mop'. The length of stroke and speed of reciprocation of the mop holder may be varied at will, Within practical limits which will be apparent, but satisfactory results Will be obtained with a stroke of approximately two inches and a frequency of approximately 8G() per minute.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention the motor B operates both the mop `holder vand agitator and the means (fan 24) for creating a current of air through the mop chamber from inlet 5I to outlet 53. The invention contemplates the use of the improved mop holder and agitator either with or Without this or other draft-creat ing means.

The starting and stopping of the motor B may be controlled by any suitably located manual switch for opening and kclosing the circuit through Wires 63 connected to the motor. However, for greater convenience in using the machine, I prefer to control the starting and stopping of the motor automatically by the insertion and withdrawal of the mop head.

In order that the operation of my machine,

particularly the starting and stopping of the motor which operates the mop-holding and agitating means (and preferablyalso the dust-removing or current-producing means) may be thus automatically effected or controlled by introduction of the mop to becleaned into position in the mop holder, and by withdrawal of the mop therefrom, Ihave provided an electric switch 60 for the motor circuit and means for closing the switch which comprises a lever or trigger 6| normally in the path of the mop being introduced into cleaning position, a rock shaft 62 fixed to lever 6| and a suitable connection with shaft 82 for actuating switch 60 to close the motor circuit through wires 63.

The mop head, as it is introduced into position against the mop holder A and against pins 8, strikes against lever 6|, thereby turning shaft 62 and closing the motor switch to start the motor. As the mop head is withdrawn from the mop holder A it is disengaged from lever 6|, which is restored by spring 65 to its normal position in the path of a mop which might be subsequently introduced into the machine for cleaning, this return movement of lever 6| causing the opening. of the motor switch and the stopping of the motor.

My machine is manifestly capable of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the vertical type of machine illustrated is merely my preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention may with equal facility be embodied in a machine of the horizontal type, in which the opening 5I will be at one side of the casing and the mop holder will move in a vertical, instead of horizontal, plane, the pa-rts and their arrangement and operation being otherwise generally the same as in the disclosure illustrated.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, cornprising a. holder for a mop having a head frame, said holder having a rigid frame and spaced rigid, mop-piercing projections on said holder i frame disposed to pierce said mophead and engage and hold the head of the mop when the mop is placed on said frame, and means for reciprocating said holder.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a mop chamber having a mop inlet, a mop holder supported in said chamber, spaced rigid "pins on said holder projecting toward said mop inlet, said pins being so disposed as to pierce, engage and hold the head of a mop inserted through said inlet against said holder for holding said mop while being shaken, and means for moving said holder transversely of said mop chamber to shake said mop.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a mop chamber having a mop inlet, a mop holder reciprocably supported in said chamber, spaced rigid pins on said holder projecting axially toward said mop inlet and adapted to pierce, engage and hold the head portion of said mop when the mop is projected axially through said inlet against said holder, and means for reciprocating said holder transversely of said mop chamber.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a reticulated mop-holding frame, spaced substantially rigid pins projecting from said frame and adapted to pierce, engage and hold the head portion of a mop to be cleaned when said head portion is placed upon said frame, the free end portions of said pins being bent, a support, guide means on said support, said frame being slidably mounted on said guide means, and means for reciprocating said frame.

5. In a device of the character described, a mop holder comprising a movably mounted frame, spaced substantially parallel rigid pins rigidly secured at one end to said frame and having their free ends angularly oiiset, said pins being adapted to pierce, engage and hold the head portion of a mop to be cleaned when said head portion is placed upon said frame, and means for moving said frame to agitate a mop head applied to said holder.

6. In a device of the character described, a mop chamber having a mop inlet and a dust outlet, a mop holder reciprocably mounted in said mop chamber, dust removing means connected with said outlet and including means for creating a current of air through said mop chamber, an electric motor for reciprocating said mop holder and operating said current-creating means, an electric circuit including said motor and switch means in said motor circuit mounted on said mop holder and including a trigger normally projecting into the path of the mop head as said mop head is inserted into said chamber and into engagement with said mop holder for closing the motor circuit.

7. In a device of the character described, a support, guide means on said support, a mop-holding frame, an electric motor for reciprocating said frame, said frame comprising spaced parallel side rods slidable on said gudemeans, cross rods connecting said side rods, spaced pin-supporting members mounted on said cross rods, rigid pins secured to said pin-supporting members and projecting upwardly therefrom to receive and hold a mop head applied to said mop-holding frame, and an electric switch and switch-controlling means supported on said mop-holding frame, said switch-controlling means including a trigger normally projecting into the path of a mop head applied to said mop-holding frame.

8. In a device of the character described, a reticulated mop-holding frame having secured thereon a plurality of spaced substantially rigid projections with angularly disposed free end p0rtions for piercing, entering and holding the head portion of a mop placed thereon to be cleaned, and means for reciprocating said frame to agitate said frame and the mop pierced and held by said projections to agitate and clean the mop.

9. In a device of the character described, a support, a mop-holding frame movably mounted on said support, an electric motor for moving said frame, rigid pins secured to said frame and projecting therefrom to receive and hold a mop head applied to said frame, and electric switch means for controlling said motor, said switch means being mounted on said mop-holding frame and including a trigger normally projecting into the path of a mop head applied to said mop-holding frame.

` JAMES A. JONES. 

